UNITING IN SONG

Musicians from the Cumberland Valley School of Music will note the power of music to transform generations and nations during a Nov. 5th, 3 p.m. Gala Showcase Concert. Music from the 15th century through today will be brought to the stage by vocalists and ensembles.

Location of the performance is the Thomson Alumnae Chapel, located on the Wilson College Campus.
Commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation prompted by Martin Luther, a CVSM Showcase Choir will perform “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” under the direction of Corey Evan Rotz. Luther and musicians of his day transformed western music by writing four part hymn and choral parts that are now common. Also featured will be instrumental ensemble, organ and timpani accompaniment.

Honoring our veterans as Veteran’s Day approaches, the choir and ensemble will also perform “God of our Fathers,” a hymn written by Daniel C. Roberts to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Showcasing another famous war-time tune, pianist Brian Helman will perform his own lively arrangement of “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey”. Helman’s playing is sometimes compared by his fellow CVSM instructors to that of Liberace, a famous American pianist, singer and actor from the 1950s through the 70s.

Award-winning music students Rebekah Duvall, Ben Smith and Jordan Noll will perform individual pieces. Duvall, the first place CVSM Merit Award winner in the annual competition’s piano division, will play “America the Beautiful.” Smith, the Margaret Weeks Voice award winner, will sing “O What a Beautiful Morning.” Noll, who received first in the Instrumental Merit Award division, will present a flute solo to be announced.

Elisabeth Turchi and Autumn Turner, a new CVSM instructor, will perform a compelling vocal duet by Foster, Sager Testa and Renis. Pianist Jerod Harris will provide accompaniment. The selection, called “The Prayer”, was a Golden Globe award-winner for Best Song in a Motion Picture in 1998. Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli made the piece famous in the soundtrack for the movie “Quest for Camelot”.

A voice instructor well-known to CVSM audiences, Turchi performed with internationally recognized Robert Shaw. She once premiered an original composition by Dave Brubeck. Turner’s resume includes being selected from a word-wide pool of 60 students in Oberlin Conservatory’s summer program in Italy. Harris is also new to CVSM, accompanied the choir at Great Lakes Christian College for five years.

Guitarist Michael Quinlivan, another new CVSM faculty member and performer, will be joined by fellow guitarist Joel Newman. Newman had a career in New York City as a session guitarist and performer before coming to Chambersburg and teaching at CVSM. A medley of songs is planned by the two, including “All the Things You Are,” written by Jerome Kern and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II.

A string ensemble including the school’s faculty and community members will perform an upbeat arrangement of “All You Need is Love,” by the Beatles. A perennial favorite, the Beatles name is synonymous with altering the course of musical history.

Deb Stotelmyer will conduct the string ensemble. A CVSM violinist and instructor, Stotelmyer also teaches at the Hagerstown Community College and Mercersburg Academy. She is the current Concertmaster for the Mercersburg Community Chorus/Orchestra.

Cellist Michael Cameron, and pianist Valerie Merriman, both CVSM faculty members, will perform “Introduction and Polonaise Brillante,” in C major, Op. 3. A composition written for cello and piano by Frederick Chopin, the piece was among the composer’s first published material. Written in October 1829, Chopin indicated by letter that it was intended to be practiced by a princess who was the daughter of a prominent Prussian noble who was a musician as well as a politician.

“Carry on Wayward Son,” by Kerry Livgren and arranged by the Maniacal 4 will be performed by a trombone ensemble. Keith Smith, as trombonist, CVSM instructor and New Horizons Band director, will direct the group. A single recorded by the band Kansas in 1977, “Carry on” has sold over 2 million downloads through digital sources. New Horizons Band members Tom Hill, Dr. Jim Bruckart and Robert Boyd are the other performing trombonists. Accompanying will be percussionist Samuel Hepfer and string bassist Herman Hopple, both CVSM instructors.

Additional performers are also planning to perform during the event.

A handicapped entry with a ramp is available in the front of Thomson Hall. Following the performance, a reception for performers and audience members will be held in the Wilson College Patterson Lounge, located in nearby Laird Hall.

Patron tickets are $30 each (preferred seating and a listing in the program); Advance Tickets are $12; $15 at the door; $5 for K-12 students to CVSM family members; CVSM Students (children under 5 years are FREE). Tickets can be purchased by calling CVSM at (717) 261–1220 or online.